60 years of the Jelly Tot

They have been a staple in many vending machines over the last six decades and their appeal to young and old continues. The history of Jelly Tots dates back to 1965 when they were first introduced by the British confectionery company Rowntree’s, which is now part of Nestlé. The candy was created as a smaller version of Rowntree’s popular product, Rowntree’s Jelly Babies.

Jelly Babies, introduced in 1918, were originally produced as a way to capitalize on the popularity of the “Peace Babies” sweets, which were launched to celebrate the end of World War I. Over the years, Jelly Babies became a beloved confectionery in the United Kingdom.

In 1965, Rowntree’s decided to launch a smaller, more bite-sized version of Jelly Babies, and thus Jelly Tots were born. The name “Jelly Tots” reflects their small, toddler-friendly size. These tiny, sugar-coated, fruit-flavoured sweets quickly gained popularity and became a favourite treat among children and adults alike.

Nestlé acquired Rowntree’s in 1988, and since then, Jelly Tots have continued to be a popular confectionery in the UK and other regions where Nestlé operates. The candy has gone through various packaging and marketing changes over the years, but its distinctive small size and fruity flavours remain a key part of its appeal.